Capping device for oil wells



April 3, 1928. 1.664.843

c. A. RASMUSSEN GAPPING DEVICE FOR OIL '8 Filed June 28, 1926 4 Sheets-Shoot 1 3 1 i1 (HEJTEA ,4. Asa/0915 Arron/E Y"- April 3, 1928.

(LA. RASMUSSEN CAPPING DEVICE FOR OIL WELLS Filed June 28. 1926 4 Sheets-Shoot 2 Br I A rrojz s/zy April 3, 1928. 1,664,643

C. A. RASMUSSEN CAPPING DEVICE FOR OIL "Lbs Filed June 28. 1928 4 Sheen-Sheet 5 i z-r-m- 1 I /26 II I V (Ms-37E A 14346 \SlE'M 1 .Brad M Arm .EY"

3.192 1,664,643 Apnl 8 c. A. RASMUSSEN CAPPING DEVICE FOR 011. WnLs Filed J me 28, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A! @WMW Patented Apr. 3, I928.

UNl'iE since.

CHESTER A. EASMUSSEN, OF LGNCl IEEACH, CALIFQRNIA.

SLEEPING DEVIQE FOR GIL WELLS.

Application filled June '28,

This invention relates to the oil well industry and relates particularly to the capping of an oil well. when it prematurely starts to flow.

6 If the subterranean pressures are sulficlent a well is liable to start; to flow at any time after the oil'bcaring formation has been penetrated and before the drilling crew has the well prepared to put on production.

Very disastrous results may occur if a flowing well gets out of control. The flow consistsprimurily of gas, oil, and sand. Prob ably the greatest danger in an uncontrolled well is the fire hazard from which many elm/ringing fires and explosions have resulting in loss of life and. property. in the case of high n'e snre flows of oil it not uncommon to he derrick or a poptiou thereof torn away or have the casing cut and partially destroyed by the abrasive action ol'ihe sand. Because a well is very difiicult to cap when once the (low is established, especially when the flow is heavy it is a primary re uisite that the capping device be s'uscepti le of quick and easy installation.

It is accordingly one of the objects of this invention to provide swell capping device which may be easily attached to the casing of the well.

I am aware that other inventors have ondeavored to provide a. capping device for capping a well after it has commenced to flow from they upper end of the oil string.

The devices on the market atthe present time may be applied it immediately installed when the flow commences. On the other hand, if the velocity of the flow of fluid becomes considerable the ordinary capping de- 4o vice cannot be applied. This is principally due to the fact that the flow of fluid which is traveling at an enormous velocity and apressure of from 1500 pounds to 200i) pounds per square inch' prevents the capping device from being placed over the upper end of the oil tube. I have found that a capping device may be made which can. be applied to a well even after a. considerable flow established itsclfl. if the body. of the copper so is provided with an unobstructed opening through which the fluid may flow. hen the capping device is moved into a position in which it s engaged by the flow 0? fluid, the flow of fluid will automatically pull it into a centralized position above the upper end of the oil string. Being thus held it is 9.323. Serial F0. 118,955.

possible to force it into fluid-tight engagement with the oil string.

It. is an object of my invention to provide & capping device which utilizes the fiow of oil to hold itin aposition ready to be forced down into engaging position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a capping device which may be readily attached to the well casing.

Sometimes the upper end of the well casing is provided with a collar so that the capping device may be screwed thereto. Some- 7 tir ies the threads on this collar are damaged to the extent. that the capping device cannot be screwed thereto and therefore other at- (aching means must be employed, such as a packing joint. t is also frequent to have upper end of the well casing bare without a collar or threads.

It is a still further object of myinvention to provide a capping device which may be secured to the wellcasing whether it be provided with a threaded coupling having damaged threads or a bare pi Other objects and edvanta es of the invention will be made evident ereinafter.

Referring to the drawings in which I illustrate my invention,

Fig. l is sectional view illustrating the invention when it is to be applied to a well casing having a threaded coupling atthe upper end thereof.

Fig. '2 is a section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. l.

3 is a section taken on the line 3--3 01'' Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is section through a form of my invention adapted to be applied to the upper end of a casing having a collar in which the threads thereof are damaged.

5 is a. section taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a section taken on. the line.- 7-7 of Fig. 4. Fig. 8 is a vertical section throu h a. third fo m of my invention which is a apted-for application to a well casing having a bare uppieyeod.

Fig. 9 is a section taken on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectiomteken on the line 10 10 of Fig. 8. v

11 is a sect-ion taken on the line l1-11 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 12' is a view taken as'jindicated by arrows 12 of Figs. 8 and another form of my invention. I.

Fig. 14 is a sect-ion one plane represented by the line 14- 14 of Fig; 13. I v

Referring to the drawings, 1 will describe the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. The numeral ,20 represents the upper end ofv aa'easin proje-cting' -froni a" well and-terminating a s OH; distance above a floor 21 of the derrick oithe; welh upper, end ofjh casing has threads 92- upon which a coupling 231s secured. The upper portion ofthe coupling} 23 has internal threads 24.. :f-.J 2

The form of-my i vention' shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 has a clamp structure generally represented by theinumeral 25. The clamp structure 25 consists of clamp inernhers26 having arcuated faces 27. which are caused to engage the casing 20" by bolts 29 which,

exten through lugs 30 of the clamp members 26. Upper faces 31 of the clamp memhere 26 on age a lower annular shoulder 32 provided v the coupling -Extending from the clamp members 26' are trunnions 33 on which the lower end of tension means in the form of reins are pivoted. Thetrunnions are on a horizontal axis which -1-ntersects the vertical axis of the casing 20.

The reins 34 extend parallel to each other and the upper ends thereof are formednintegrally with a threaded ring- 35.'It desired, the reins 34 and the threaded ring may be madesepaiate and suitably secured together. The ring 35, as illustrated in 1, has a threaded opening 37 formed therethrough into which athreaded advancer or nut 38 is screwed. The upper end of the' nut 38 has a portion 39 which is adapted to be engaged by a suitable wrench whereby it may be rotated and advanced either up or down in the threaded ring 35. i.

The numeral 41 indicates the capping means of the invention. The capping means consists. of a nipple 42 which is threaded at 43 at its lower end. the threads 43 being of the same size as the threads 24 of the collar 23. The upper end of the. nipple 42 is threaded at 44 to. the lower end of a collar 45. The upper end of the'collar 45 has a lower end 47 of a pipe '48 screwed thercinto. The pipe 48 is the same size as the nipple 42; therefore, the upper end of. the collar 45 provides an annular shoulder 49. Thenut 38 his a cylindrical opening 50 through whicha portion of the pipe 48 ex- A tends, the pipe 48 engaging the nut, thus journaling the nut 38 thereon. Thepipe 48 has a gate valve 52 connected therein directly above .the nut .88. Surrounding the nipple 42 immediately above the threaded portion 43 at the lower end thereof is a centrelizing ring 54. The centralizing ring 54 has trunnions 55 which extend outward t-hrough openings 56 formed in the reins 34. Fig.1.? is a vertical section through still In Fig. l, 1 illustrate the position of the parts of the capping device when the cap ping'means 41 is' in theposition above the upper end of the casing 20 ready to he moved downward so that the threaded end 43 may he screwed into the coupling 23. I also illustrate in inclined position at the right the position of the capping device when it is prepared to be moved into position above the casing 20. The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

' The clamp construction 25 may be atthe diagonal position shown in Fig. 1 about the trunnions into a position ahore and in alignment with the casing 20, this posi tion being shown at the right of Fig. l. The oil at this time will he flowing violently from the upper end of the casing 20. $5 the device is moved towards the position vertically ahovc'the casing 20 the lower end of the nipple 42 will he strubk by the flow of oil and the tendency is to swing it upwardly into a central position. The centralizing ring, 54 prevents a substahtia'lly relative swinging movement between the nipple 42 and the other parts of the capping: device. This arrangement prevents any damage l)(- iugdone by the flow of oil engaging the lower end of the nipple 42.; lVhen the capping-device has been moved into the position above the ,casingQO the fiowot oil will pass through the capping means 4i and will serve The next operation. in capping, a well is to rotate the nut 38 so as to advance it downward through the threaded ring 35'.

The lower end of the nut 38 being in engagement with the annular shoulder 49 of the collar 45 moves the capping means 41 downward therewith and moves the lower threaded end of the nipple into the upper end of the collar 23. -When the-capping-means has been moved downward so that the threads $3;

and 24 contact,v the Whole capping means is rotated ,as thejnut 38 .is rotated so that the lowern-d of the nipple 42 will be screwed into the collar 43. The capping means may be rotated lay-means of 'a wrench orhy pipe Inc . upward movement by reason of its being engaged by the flow of oil by means of the not 38 which is in engagement with the shoulder 49 of the collar 45, which nut 38 is screwed in the threaded ring 35.

Another feature of the lien is the centralizing 54 which lizcs the lower end of the nipple 42. Tins-centralizing means is active principally during; the time that the device is being swung into po sition above the casin e Another valuable feature of the invention is that it utilizes the flow of oil for centralizing the capping means above the casing so that the lower end of the nipple 42 maybe lowered into the collar 23. All these features of the invention combined serve to produce a capping device which may be easily and quicky'atta ched to the upper end of the well cas- ImFigs; 4, 5, 6 and 7, I illustrate the formof the invention which is adapted to be se-- v cured to a casing havinga collar 61 which is secured to the upper end thereof, the

threads of which have been damaged to suchan extent that a pipe cannot be threadedly secured thereto. In this form of the invention I employ a clamp construction 63 similar to the clamp construction 25 which has clamp members 64 which are secured by bolts 65 around the casing 60 immediately below the collar 61 so that the members 64 engage a shoulder 66 provided by the collar 61. Trunnions 67 are formed on the clamp members 64 and the lower ends of reins 68 are pivoted on the trunnions 67. The upper ends of the reins 68 are formed integrally with a ring 69 having a cylindrical opening 70 which is not threaded, Theinunieral 72 represents the capping means of this form of my invention which has a body 73, the lower end of which is provided with 'an annular cavity 74 at the upper part of which a packing ring 75 is placed. The cavity 74 has an inside cone ofa diameter wh h is somewhat greater in diameter than the inside of the collar 61, so that when forced down itcan enter and close the upper end ofthe collar. A centralizing ring 77 surrounds an upper cylindrical end 78 of the maybe closediand the flow cf oi l theyv body 73 and engages an annular shoulder 7".) thereof. The centralizing ring 77 has channels 78 formed therein through which the reins 68 extend. A nipple 80 is threadedly secured at 81 to the upper part of the body 3, and threadedly secured at 83 to the upper end of the nipple 80 is a threaded sleeve 8% which is provided with external threads 85. Threadedly secured at 86 to the threaded sleeve 84 is a pipe 88 which extends upward therefrom and in which a gate valve 89 is connected. Screwed on the threaded sleeve 84 is a nut 90. The nut 90 is provided w th bosses 91 through which openlugs 92 extend for the reception of a bar or spanner wrench whereby the nut 90 may be rotated in order to advance the threaded sleeve, 84 in either direction. The upper end of the nut- 90 is provided with an annular shoulder 93 which rests in an annular cavil y ()4; formed in the lower part of the ring 69. In this form of the invention when the well .blows in and oil flows from the upper end of the casing 60, the capping device is'first attached in an inclined position and is then movcd into the position shown in Fig. 4. The centralizing ring 77 prevents the lower end of the capping means 72 from being swung relative to the other parts of the device. The ring 77 is constructed so that the capping means may rotate relative thereto. The valve 89 is open as the device has moved into the position shown inFig. 4, and the oil will flow through the capping means 72, holding it in alignment above the casing 60. The next operation is to lower the capping means 72 so that the packing ring 75 engages the upper annular end of the collar 61, This is done by either rotating the threaded sle'efl'e 84, the nipple 80 and the member 73 together with the pipe 88, which-may be accomplished by holding the nut. 90 and turning the pipe 88, or by rotating the nut 90 so that the threaded sleeve v84 is advanced downward therewith. 'Thc threaded sleeve 84 being a part of the capping means 72 moves the entire capping means down so that the packing ring 75 of the body 73 is brought into fluid-tight engagement with the upper end of the collar-6.1. After this fluid-tight contact has been-made, the valve 89 may be closed and the fiow of oil from the well prevented. In this form of my in- V made between the body 73 and the collar 61.

It should be noted, however, that there are structural differences between the first and plicable to casings having a bare upper end,-

Which condition is met with in wells that have flowed for some time. Referring to Fig. 8, the numeral 100 represents a casing, the upper end of which is unthi ea ded as shown. The upper end of the casing 100 is perfectly smooth and therefore a special clamping construction, as indicated by the numeral 101, is required because there is no collar to provide a shoulder which may be engaged by the clamping. construction. Be-

the clamp construction 101 has a pair of clamp members 102 having arcuated tapered faces 103 which when they are secured to gather form a {raisin-conical cavity 104. The

clamp members 102 have arms 105 which.

project outward in opposite directions; the adjacent arms 105 of the clamp members 102 being held together by clamp plates 107. The clamp plates 107 have openings 108 through which pairs of arms 105 extend. The clamp plates 107a1'e placed on the arms 105 from the outer ends thereof. After the clamp members have been placed, as shown in the drawings, wedges 110 are driven through openings 111 of the pairs of arms 105f0r securely holding the clamp plates 10'? in place. This arrangement is very satisfactory since it rigidly and absolutely holds the clamp members 102 in proper position. The frusto-conicalcavity 104 receives the slips 112 as illustrated best' in Fig. 8. These slips 112 have internal teeth 113 which are adapted to engage the casing 100. The large end of the frusto-conical mivity 104 is at the upper end of the clamp members 102 so that the slips 112 are inserted from the upper end thereof. If it is attempted to move the members 102 upward, the slips 112 are caused to rigidly clamp the casing 100 and an upward movement of the members 102 is prevented. Formed on the members 102 are trunnions 115 on which the lower ends'of reins 116 are pivoted. The reins 116 extend upward parallel to each other and termlnate in a threaded ring 118 having a threaded opening .119 formed therethrough. Screwed into theflthreadcd opening 119 1s a threaded advancer or but 120 having an upper end 121. which is prepared to-receive a'wrench by means of which the nut- 120 may be rotated so that it can be advanced upward or downward through the threaded ring 118.- The capping means "of the invention is indicated by the numeral 123 and includes a stuffing box body 124 having a central opening 125 through which the .upper end of the'casing 100 may extend. The "lower end of the body 124 has an annular cavity 126 in which packing 127 may be compressed by means of a land 123. The gland 128 is secured in place y bolts 129. The stufiing box body 124 is the upper end of the casing 100 may extend.-

The lower end of,the nipple 133 provides a bearing face 134 which engages the inner face of the nut 120. The upper end of the nipple 133 is swedged at 136 and has a. collar "-137 thrcadedly secured thereto for the putferring to Figs. 8, 11 and 12, in particular,

capped. Previous to this time the nut 120" is advanced upward so that the lower end of the gland 128 may be occupying a position Vvhen the well blows in and oil flows from the upper end of the casing 100, the capping device is -moved into a position above the upper end of the casing 100 .in the same manner as in the other two forms of their:- vention. The centralizing lugs 130 prevent the lower end of the capping means 123 from being swung relative to the othenparts of the invention. The valve 140 is opened and the oil flows thercthrough, the dil tending to align the capping means 123 with the casing 100. The next operation is to lower the capping means 123 which is accomplished by advancing the nut 120 downward. The lower end of the nut 120 engages the upper end of the st-ulling box body 124 and forces the capping means 123 downward therewith. The stufling box body 124 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 8 so that it surrounds the upper end of the casing 100. When this position has been reached, the gland 128 00 above the upper bare end of the casing 100.

which is loosened during the lowering oper- I ation is moved upward by screwing the bolts 129 into the stufiingbox body 124, so that the packing 127 is compressed into fluid-tight engagement with the casing.100. This third form of the invention embodies all the features of the other forms of the invention. The lower end oi thecapping means 123 is centralized whi-lit being moved into positi'on above the casing 100, and the flow of oil from the casing 100 is utilized for cen .tralizing the capping devicc 'while the can 13 and 14 show an auxiliary special, by reason of the fact that it has no shoulder to engage in order to hold it in proper position and has no means to rigidly clamp the pipe 100 so that it cannot be moved upward by oil. This is readily accomplished by the provision of the slips 112. The construction for securing the members 102 together is important to the clamp construction 101. The means shown, which consists of the arms 105, the plates 107, and the wedges 110, are very simple and rigidly and.reliably secure the clamp members :2 together.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 13, which is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 4, I employ clamp members 64 which are secured by bolt 65 about the casing 60 immediately below the collar 61 so that the members 6% engage a shoulder 66 on the collar 61. Trunnions 67 are provided on the clamp members and the lower ends of reins 68 are pivoted thereon. The upper ends of the reins are secured to the two halves of a split ring 120 which is secured together by bolts 121. The split ring 120 is threaded as shown at 122. The capping means is provided with a body 73, the lower end of which 74 in which a packhas an annular cavigy mg ring 751s seate A centralizing ring 123 is loosely secured upon the top of the body 7 3 and is provided with holes through which bolts 124 may pass. The centralizing ring 77 has openings through which the reins 68 extend. A nipple 80 is secured in the body 73, and secured at the upper end of the nipple 80 is a threaded sleeve 84 which is provided with external threads 85. Screwed on the sleeve 84 is a threaded nut 90, the threaded sleeve 84 extending up and engaging the threads 122 in the clamps 120. 'lhreadedly secured in the sleeve 81L is a. pipe 88 provided with a gate valve 89. It will be noted that the above construction is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. i, except that the clamp 120 is split and threaded so that the sleeve 84 can extend upwardly therein and the flange 123 is provided with openings for the bolt 124. The construction shown in Fig. 13 has an advantage over that shown in Fig. 4 in that with the sleeve in its upper position with the threads en gaging t e clamp 12-0, the whole capping de vice is suspended in such a position that it may be swung from the dotted position A over the well and may then be forced downwardly by applying pipe tongs to the pipe 88, the sleeve 84 then turning in the clamps 120 and moving downwardly. During this period the nut 90 is preferably held stationary and as soon as the sleeve 84 leaves the clamps 120, the sleeve may be forced further downwardl by rotating the nut 90.

In addition to these novel features, Figs.

clamping device which may be used not only with the the force of the flow of' forms shown in Figs. 13 and 14, but also with the other forms.

It will be understood that in capping the well the valve 89 is ordinarily-left open until after the device has been swung into place above the casing and forced downwardly into engagement therewith. During this time there is an u ward force exerted on the ca )ping device '118 to the friction of the fluid owing therethrough. As soon, however, as the valve 89 is closed the upward ressure on the capping device is very great-- y increased, since the full well pressure is then exerted to force the cap ing device upwardly. It is highly dcsira-ile and generally necessary to provide additional means for resisting this excess upward pressure. Such a means is shown in Fig. 13 in which I provide a spider 130 having a plurality of slips 131', the spider 130 bein preferably s lit and secured together In ho ts 132. The sips 131 are then forced ownwardly and are then held in place by clamping rings 133.

The spider and slips provide a very great anchorage so that the bolts 1% which pass" through langcs on the spider 130 and through the flange 123. provide a. very substantial anchorage tending to hold the capping device in place. In practice I use from six to twelve of these bolts equally spaced around the ring I claim as my invention:

1. A control means for capping the tubing of a flowing oil well comprising: securing means adapted o be secured to said tubing below the upwardly projectin open end thereof; reins pivoted at their ower end to said securing means so that they can swing about a horizontal axis passin through said tubing near the axis thereo i; a threaded member carried by the upper end of said reins; capping means; and a rotatable member through which said capping means extends threaded in said threaded member and engaging said cap-pin means to force it downwardly into a position where it may be secured in tluidtight relationship with said tubing.

2. A control means for capping the tubing of a flowing oil well comprising: securing means adapted to he secured to'said tubing below the upwardly projecting open end thereof; reins pivoted at their lower end to said securing means so that they can swing about a horizontal axis passin through said tubing near the axis thereol; a threaded member carried'by the upper end of said reins; capping means; a rotatable member throu h which said capping means extends threaded in said threaded member and engaging said capping means to force it downwardly into a position where it may be secured in fluid'tight relationship with said tubing; and means for preventing said capp ng means from swinging relative to said reins.

sald securing means .so that they can swing about a horizontal axis passing through said tubing near the axis thereof; a threaded member carried by the upper end of said reins; capping means; and a rotatable mem ber threaded in said threaded member and engaging said capping means to force it downwardly into a position where it may be secured in fluid-tight relationship with said tubing, said capping means being rotatable with respect to said reins and said rotatable member.

4. A control means for capping the tubing of a. flowing oil Well comprising: securing means adapted to be secured to said tubing below the upwardly projecting end thereof;

reins pivoted at their lower ends to said securing means so that they can swing about a horizoz'ital as; passing through said tub ing near the thereof; a supporting member joining upper ends of said reins; capping means carried by said supporting memlier: and a forcing element through which said capping means extends and which operably movable relative to said supporting memher and said capping means and adapted to engage and force said cap ping means downwardly into engagement with the open end of said tubing.

5. A control means for capping the tubing of aflowing oil well comprising: securing means adapted to be secured to said tubing below the upwardly projecting end thereof; reins pivoted'at their lower ends to said securing means so that thcycan swing about a horizontal axis passing through said tubing near the axis thereof; a supporting mem-- ber joining the-upper ends of said reins: capping means carried by said simporling member; a forcing element through which said capping means extends and which is operably movable relative to said support ing member and said capping means and adapted to engage and force said cappin means downwardly into engagement with the open end of said tubing; and means for reventing said capping means from swingmg relative to said reins.

6. In a. control means for capping the tubing of a flowing well, the combination of: securing means adapted to be secured to said tubing below the upwardly projecting end thereof; retention means pivoted to said securing means and having a fixed support v .ing men:

oosen ing member at free end: and capping means extending through said supporting member: and etall tunes restrained against swinging relative to said retention means,

so that as said retention means is swung upthrough which fluid from said. well may pass. thus holding said capping means in axial alignment with the open end of said well tubing.

7. A coml'iiuation as defined in claim 5, in combination with: means for securingjaicl capping means in, fluid-tight relation 'with said tubing.

8. A c fnhination as defined in claim 6, in combinat on with: means for securing Said capping means in fluid tight. relation with said tubing; and means for controlling the How of fluid through said capping means after it has been secured.

9. lo a control means for capping the tubing of a flowing well, the combination of: securing means adapted to be secured to said tubing below the upwardly projecting end thereof retention means pivoted to said securing means and having a fixed supportat its free end; and capping means member and having near its lower end centralizing menus preventing said capping means from swinging relative to said retention means, so that as said retention means 'is swung upward themtapping means is brought into axial alignment with the tublug, s'n'id capping means having an unobstructed opening through which fluid from said well may pass thus'holding said capping means in axial alignment with the open end of said well tubing.

1h. A combinationas defined in claim 9, in combination with: means for securing seid capping means fluid-tight relation with said. tubing.

1.1. A conibinatioi'i as defined in claim in combination with: means for moving said capping means axially relative to said suporting member to bring said capping means into lluid-tight engagement with said well tubing. 1

12. -A combination as defined in claim 6, in which said capping means is rotatable and is providedwith screw-threads ad pted to engzz said well tubing. f in tr iony whereofi I have hereunto set my hand, at .ilosv Angeles, California, this 22nd rloymf June. i926.

CHESTER A.RASMUSSEN.

siding through said supporting- 

